Lisa Jackson has been a courageous EPA administrator

Kudos to Lisa Jackson, the head of the Environmental Protection Agency who is stepping down from her cabinet-level position after the president's State of the Union address in January ("Chief of EPA to leave post," Dec. 28).

Ms. Jackson has performed brilliantly in an often thankless job. Because of her efforts, the nation has been spared countless deaths and illnesses due to polluted air, water and soil.

She was vilified by Republicans who accused her of harming the economy and slowing job creation. But as a businessman, I have always questioned whether a healthy environment really hurts business. And if one weighs economic benefits of saving the lives of our children, I know which side I embrace.